1. Strengthening Collaborations for Better Transition Outcomes “Building Powerful Partnerships” September 23, 2014 Presentation by The Center for Excellence & Advocacy

2. Agenda Why A Partnership? Keys to Collaborative Success Addressing Self-Interest Foundation Building Blocks—Mobilizing and Maximizing Community Assets Organizing to Get the Work Done Q & A and Next Steps 2

3. PARTNER SHIPS Schools Youth and Families Health Care Agencies Community Based Service Provides Mental Health Providers Employers Public Social Service Agencies 3

4. PARTNERSHIPS 4

5. Keys to Collaborative Success New Thinking Mutual Self-Interests Foundation Building Blocks Collaborative Action 5

6. New Thinking Reflect on your initial impressions of the transition process. Consider district priorities and existing efforts that address the domains of transition for the youth you serve. Are there potential opportunities that may be presented by deepening your partnership efforts? 6

7. Your “Stuff”… Take a few moments to quickly brainstorm all of the agencies, initiatives, programs, and places that provide any home and/or community-based services for youth with transition needs in one of the following areas: Employment Education / training Independent living Community participation 7

8. Community Participation… Advocates in Action Dare to Dream RI Cross Disability Coalition RI DD Council Best Buddies Special Olympics Rotary, Elks, Kiwanis Clubs of interest books, stamp, coins, scrapbooking, gardening City / town event volunteers parade, Xmas lights, food drive Church, choir, social ministry, bible study Game groups bingo, cards, larping 8

9. Community Participation… Community theatre Community chorus Sports leagues – Bowling, swimming, fishing Community center activities pottery, knitting, story telling, art, movie night Volunteer Fire station, hospital, nursing home, animal shelter, library Political organizations - Parities, Individual campaign support, poll worker Charitable groups – UWAY, Red Cross, Cancer Society Learning Exchange Courses on cooking, cake decorating, Excel 1, Knitting, Job Searching, Learn Italian 9

10. Employment Youth Centers – West Bay, Family Resources, CCAP Pawtucket, South County, East Bay State summer work – DEM, state beaches, general assembly interns City / town summer work Parks and recreation Seasonal work – Landscaping, Dairy Queen, bed & breakfasts Summer Employment Programs (ORS/WIB) Tri-town, Blackstone Valley CAP, RI Marine Trades, West Bay, Pawtucket CCAP, Seven Hills, Family Resources, SER Jobs, Young Voices, Goodwill, Perspectives, Lifespan Local employment – grocery stores, ice cream shop, restaurants, summer camps Hireateen.com and CEA 10

11. Mutual Self-Interests Think about your own &/or your organization’s self-interest in partnering with other entities to address the employment domain. Be HONEST – WIIFM? High School Spec Ed Director – Annual assessments 2 sixty day work experiences for youth with I/DD before exiting school No new staff or resources to get this done From the list of previously listed employment resources - What are my options? – What’s in it for me? - school What’s in it for my partner? 11

12. Mutual Self-Interests What needs to happen for each partner to remain in that relationship a year from now, two years from now, etc… Spec Ed Director – Work experiences for students Assessments / evaluations Case notes / progress Job shadowing Work readiness / work preparation Paid opportunities for youth Case management and staff support Job Coaching 12

13. Mutual Self-Interests What needs to happen for each partner to remain in that relationship a year from now, two years from now, etc… Goodwill Industries Summer Opportunities ORS eligible students (16+) Numbers achieved for their summer programs Younger youth for their WIB Summer Work Preparation program (14 – 15 year olds) Steady stream of referrals each summer from partnering school. 13

14. Mutual Self-Interests Think about your own &/or your organization’s self-interest in partnering with other entities to address the community participation domain. Be HONEST – WIIFM? From the list of previously listed community resources – What are my options? What’s in it for me? - school What’s in it for my partner? 14

15. Mutual Self-Interests 15 High School Spec Ed Director – Activities of interest that integrate the student into their community Community activities that further develop social and / or daily living skills Social opportunities to become a part of a group and / or make friends Entity selected – Increase membership / fees – Rotary, Elks, etc… Increased # of volunteers – political, non-profits Talent and diversity – community theatre, chorus

16. Identify one domain where you need to build a partnership – start with a gap Brain dump all the available resources & explore the possibilities Build a small coalition of selected partners and clearly define the self-interests of each party Develop process for accessing those partnerships Establish standard meeting times to assess that mutual needs are getting met – monthly at first then quarterly Once one domain is up and running, add a second domain. Foundation Building Blocks 16

17. Building a System of Partnership / Collaboration Your vision should drive the work. Focus on functions vs. titles Recruit strategic partners—don’t do the work alone. Manage your connections and be accountable. Partner and “map” internally whenever possible. Asset mapping is a continual “living” process. 17

18. Organizations Individuals Internal Organizational Infrastructure Support for youth and families Partnership Structure Building Capacity System 18

19. Taking the Next Step Looking at your transition priorities identify one or two specific goals to address. Identify individuals / partners who can help you shape the action steps and processes for each of the goals you have identified. Address needs and self-interests of each partner. Assess and address needs every time you meet. 19

20. Need Help? Contact Us The Center for Excellence & Advocacy 662 Hartford Avenue Providence, RI 02909 401.283-1111 Lnorris@fedcap.org 20